Collet type suspension mechanism for airborne stores for reduced aerodynamic drag

Abstract

A suspension lug arrangement for a store suitable for aerial deployment has an outer surface and includes at least one lug region including a lug disposed in a body of the store. The lug includes a base portion embedded within and joined to the body of the store and a head portion extending outward from the base portion to the outer surface of the store, the head portion including an outer surface aligned with an adjacent portion of the outer surface of the body. The at least one lug region further includes a well at least partially surrounding the lug, a compressible member disposed within the well, and a plug retained within the well and engaging the compressible member disposed therein.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A suspension lug arrangement for a store suitable for aerial deployment, the store having an outer surface, the suspension lug arrangement comprising:
 at least one lug region comprising a lug disposed in a body of the store, the lug comprising:
 a base portion embedded within and joined to the body of the store; and 
 a head portion extending outward from the base portion to the outer surface of the store, the head portion comprising an outer surface aligned with an adjacent portion of the outer surface of the body; 
 
 a well at least partially surrounding the lug; 
 a compressible member disposed within the well; and 
 a plug retained within the well and engaging the compressible member disposed therein, the plug comprising:
 a seat for engaging an inner surface of the head portion of the lug; 
 a recess for engaging the compressible member; and 
 a peripheral surface slidable along a wall of the well. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the head portion is wider than the base portion in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal body axis such that the lug has a T-shaped cross-sectional geometry. 
     
     
       3. The arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the inner surface of the head portion is angled with respect to the longitudinal body axis. 
     
     
       4. The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the lug has one of a circular, polygonal, and elliptical shape. 
     
     
       5. The arrangement of  claim 4 , wherein the compressible member is a spring concentric with the lug. 
     
     
       6. A system for releasably mounting a store suitable for aerial deployment, the system comprising:
 a mounting rack securable to an aircraft structure, the mounting rack comprising:
 at least one collet assembly comprising:
 a cylindrical collar; 
 a shaft disposed within the cylindrical collar; and 
 a plurality of hooked fingers connected to the shaft; and 
 
 
 a suspension lug arrangement on the store, the arrangement comprising:
 at least one lug disposed in a body of the store, the at least one lug comprising:
 a base portion embedded within and joined to the body of the store; and 
 a head portion extending outward from the base portion to an outer surface of the body of the store, the head portion comprising an outer surface aligned with an adjacent portion of the outer surface of the body; 
 
 a well at least partially surrounding the at least one lug; 
 a compressible member disposed within the well; and 
 a plug retained within the well and engaging the compressible member, the plug comprising:
 a seat for engaging an inner surface of the head portion of the lug; 
 a recess for engaging the compressible member; and 
 a peripheral surface slidable along a wall of the well; 
 
 
 wherein the collet assembly is engageable with the at least one lug. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the head portion of the at least one lug is wider than the base portion in a first direction corresponding to a longitudinal axis of the body such that the at least one lug has a T-shaped cross-sectional geometry. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the shaft is slidable within the cylindrical collar between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein in the retracted position, the shaft occupies a bore of the rack. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 8 , wherein in the retracted position, the plurality of hooked fingers are secured between an inner surface of the cylindrical collar and the shaft, and wherein in the extended position, a hooked end of each of the plurality of hooked fingers extends beyond the cylindrical collar and moves radially away from the shaft, relative to a collar axis. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein when the system is in a mounted state in which the store is secured to the rack:
 the hooked end of each of the plurality of hooked fingers is engaged with the head portion of the at least one lug; and 
 the shaft is in the retracted position such that the plurality of hooked fingers are secured between the inner surface of the cylindrical collar and the shaft, and the at least one lug is secured by the plurality of hooked fingers. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 10 , wherein when the system is in a disengaged state in which the store is not secured to the rack, the shaft is in the fully extended position such that the hooked portion of each of the plurality of hooked fingers extends beyond the cylindrical collar and moves radially away from the shaft such that the plurality of hooked fingers are disengaged from the at least one lug. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of hooked fingers is radially pivotable, relative to the collar axis, about an attachment point to the shaft, and wherein a plurality of spring members corresponding to the plurality of hooked fingers force each of the plurality of hooked fingers in a radially outward direction in the fully extended position of the shaft. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , wherein in the disengaged state, an outer surface of the plug of the suspension lug arrangement is aligned with the outer surface of the head portion of the at least one lug. 
     
     
       15. The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the plug is concentric with the lug. 
     
     
       16. The arrangement of  claim 1  wherein when the seat engages the inner surface of the head portion of the lug, and wherein an outer surface of the plug is aligned with the outer surface of the head portion. 
     
     
       17. The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lug region comprises a first lug region and a second lug region spaced apart from the first lug region. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one collet assembly comprises a first collet assembly and a second collet assembly, and wherein the at least one lug comprises a first lug and a second lug. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of hooked fingers comprises two to six hooked fingers circumferentially disposed about the shaft.